Lawn Mower Class Action Settlement Update

On August 16, 2010, Judge Adelman granted Plaintiffs’ motion for final approval of the settlements with all defendants. Subsequently, some of the class members who objected to the terms of the settlements filed notices of appeal with the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals recently dismissed the relevant appeals and the settlement proceeds will soon be ready for distribution to class members. The Claims Administrator is currently processing the claims received by class members. Class members who filed a valid claim can expect to receive a cash payment and engine warranty certificate (if applicable) by April, 2011.

Please be patient and check this website (http://www.lawnmowerclass.com/) or call 1-877-773-8196 for timely updates. The updates on the website and toll-free telephone line contain the most up-to-date information available, so please refrain from contacting Rust Consulting or Class Counsel directly if your questions relate to the status of the Court’s decision on Final Approval or any appeals.

They say the settlement is $35 for walk behind and $75 for riding mowers. I have a $2,000 Bobcat walk-behind with a 15.5 hp (or I guess a lot less) B&S engine. Doesn't seem like the best way to determine how much you get back. Would have been nice if they paid the settlement out based on horse power since that's the reason for the class action lawsuit..

I have 2 walk behind mowers and 2 riders that I submitted. No conformation if received, approved, or rejected. April is almost gone and no update. I called the phone number on the website, but it doesn't give any better updates and you don't get an option to talk to a person. If interest rates were better, I would think they were just cashing in on the interest.

Ooh wee, today is Thursday, April 28, 2011 (approximately 3:00 p.m. EST) and still NO check here is Georgia. So let the countdown begin -- 2 more days to go. I just KNOW (or should I say NO) it will be in my mailbox tomorrow, the 29th, and if not then, certainly by the 30th (the last day of April). I am so excited! And if it doesn't happened, then . . . well, I just hate resorting to threats. But do realize I do know people in high places (and low places too). And you don't want me to go there. You know, I'm only joking, expressing my frustration. Just like this entire lawsuit has been so far, a joke!

For me, it's not the small amount of money promised for the lawsuit, it's just watching the runaround we have gotten from this that is so fascinating. I will be very surprised if the check is in the mail. I'm sure someone from the lawsuit is watching sites like this, so I'm just saying, Mail the Friggin' checks and get this over with.

I KNEW IT...RUNAROUND!!! The website says to NOT contact the Rust Consulting or Class Counsel directly, But I think someone should post the contact info on here and everyone that is fed up with this crap should contact them and demand an answer and keep contacting them until we get one.

I called Rust yesterday to complain about getting the runaround. Same old sad lawyer excuses. I said at the very least if they are going to lie to us, they should change the terminology on the updates and just say they have no idea!

There are no guidelines for how long they can take to distribute the checks - remember, WE asked THEM to go to court and get the money. They can just sit there "processing" and collecting intense interest on forum accounts it is held in. What is processing these days anyway... entering a spreadsheet and clicking tools and compile to export to address label documents? Takes about 3 minutes where I work.

Did any of you get a response/confirmation when you filled the forms out last year? Took me a while to get all the info on the two mowers I own written down and submitted, but i never got a confirmation of any kind.

Response to the question regarding getting a response/confirmation: Yes! I submitted my claim via the internet and got a response page after entering my data that listed my information and included a Confirmation Number. But, haven't received a payment....yet????.

Where in the world are the settlement checks? It's taking a lot of grace and patience waiting! LOL! I feel like I need to hire an attorney to place a claim against the attorneys who handled the settlements? The web site provides very little information and there is never a live person to talk to just some recording that has spewed out the same rhetoric for months. First it said checks would come in March, than April now it says Middle of May. This is ridiculous! The lawyers made millions on this and they can’t cut the checks in a timely manner!

How about everyone who comes to this site send an email to good old "Philip" (see above post) at email address he provided...at least we'd feel like we had some contact! Shouldn't be anything vulger...don't want anyone to get in trouble.pmattoon@rustconsulting.com

Apparently the legal fees are higher than expected. I just called 877 773 8196 and it said the expected payment dropped from $35 per push mower, to $10.19 and the riders from $75 to $21.84. How ridiculous is that ? Now they are expecting to be mailed in mid-may. I am not holding my breath.

It's not so much the $10 for me, but more the extended warranty. I just want that so I can get my recently non-running mower repaired. The phone message also said to go to the website at https://lawnmowerclass.com to receive instructions for how and where to obtain service after the warranty extension is received. Well, I perused the site and found nothing regarding this. Looks like the ol' bait n switch. I can wait 13 more days, but what exactly am I waiting for? That is the question. Good luck all!

Well, well, well, I've been made to look like an idiot once again. It's May 3, and still no check or warranty in Georgia. "Class members who filed a valid claim can expect to receive a cash payment and engine warranty certificate (if applicable) by the middle of May 2011." Really? I bet it will be more like Neverary 32, 2011.

Keep in mind it is the Judge (LYNN ADELMAN) in the case that has final say over what fees the attorneys can charge.

I made some calls and can backup the earlier post that the reimbursements are now down to $10 and 25. The warranty certificate will be serviced by a 3rd party company accessible at some point through the class website. Due to expected "high demand" those requesting repair service will submit a claim for repair and it will be processed within "6-12 weeks". There will be an additional caveat though: The warranty work will not be performed by the manufacturer or an affiliate. It is a 3rd party repair and you will be responsible for transporting the unit to them.

Nothing yet in Wisconsin. I bet the lawyers payments weren't reduced. Why would they state a payment amount at the start if the proceeds had to be devided between an unknown amount of recepients. I guess No.1 always comes first. Let's reduce the lawyers portion too and devide it among us. Yah I know.....Ha Ha

middle of may, i wonder if there is a fat check waiting in my mail. Probably not. what a joke! I don't know if i'm more upset about the run around scam or that i wasted my time, worth well more than $35, on this nonsense.

The lawnmowerclass.com web site was updated today to indicate: " Settlement Benefits - Monday, May 16, 2011Distribution of the settlement benefits has now begun. Because a very significant number of documents are being printed and mailed out, we appreciate your patience as you await the arrival of your settlement check and/or warranty certificate." Will be intersting to see how long it is before anyone who knows about this site gets their check.

rust is a fuckin scum,,and i pray to god that mother fucker gets the illnesses i have,c.o.p.d diabites,epilipcy enimea,ect;your full of crap,to all the people you been playing like fuckin puppets,you deserve every illness i have and more injoy your money you fuck,and you can keep mine ,i feel so much better now that i decided,to write this will deserved blog,,,,,,,....mxcv vkek938iwls;a,.;d;;,.m/n;[,l;.m';

Hum, "significant documents to be printed and sent out"? Guess they haven't heard of computers or mailing services...Hey Rust Consultants..wake up and smell the ire! How about hiring some help with mailing, you can take it out of the $50 your not sending us for any riding mower. No payment yet in California.

Just got off the phone with them and they will be mailing checks over the next few weeks. Someone named Mark called me back and said that they updated their website to say checks were being mailed. My lying eyes.

i have 3 claims,two push,one riding,3 ligetiment claims,5-20-11,i recieved one check for $10,that is payment for one push,what happened to the other 2 claims,so i was supposed to recieve,$145,instead i recieved $10,now if i was to do what they did to us ,they would be going after are bank accounts,house,even the shirt off your backs,what fuckin blood suckin ,semen!if gas wasnt so expensive i would go to them,you know what i mean

Hoorah from Georgia! I received a substantial sum of money today in the form of a check, $32.03 to be exact. $10.19 for the push mower; $21.84 for the riding mower. Unfortunately it came on the day of the Rapture. How terrible it is to have waited all this time and now won't be able to spend it. Life just isn't fair!

Check came today, although there was no warranty paper... Did anyone else not get their warranty extension certificate? Got like 32.03 luckily. wanted my original 110 dollars BUT I'll take what I get since obviously only one party can be greedy (The lawyers)...

mr.philip.ihave 3 ligetiment claims,2 push one riding,i recieved,$10,that adds up to one push,what happened to my other claims i should have $42.18,still coming in the male because all the blogs aim reading,is they got every thing they were told they were getting,after you informed them of the unfair cuts,i have$32.03 coming from my riding and $10.19 from my push,so how about it pilip,you do know of couse i still hane the lawnmower,and if you like i will deliver them to you ,of course you will pat for shipping and handling,and allso shipping them back,since my ligetiment claim form,did not do the job for you,i hope i dont have to make a mole hill in a mountain,some people say iam really really good at that,so in this closing statement,i really hope you do the right thing,sencerly your clint still,and will be until this is resolved

Got a check for $32.03 for 1 rider, 1 push. That's about 1/3 of the original. I am however comforted to know that the lawyers will get 100% of their fees, expenses and whatever else they want, not a penny less.

Check received for one riding mower vs. two that were owed...letter says more information will come in a seperate letter...believe that if your out of your mind! Celebrating in California just like my son in Tennessee!?

Got my $10.19 check today and the Extended Engine Warranty Certificate. It's been a fun year waiting for this settlement payment especially since I found this site where so many of you guys have gotten so upset about such a trivial matter.

Got second payment for riding mower and extended warrenty. Called Kohler Authorized Service Dealer and he is currently not accepting certificates because he stated "Kohler is more then four months behind in payments". Guess if dealers won't accept certificates there not worth the paper there printed on???

I got mine two weeks ago and was waiting to get my Briggs & Stratton engine fixed on my zero turn tractor. I called Briggs & Stratton to make sure the Authorized Dealer would accept extended warranty and they said yes. Two authroized dealers knew nothing about it and are not sure they will do they work!!! What good is the warranty if the dealers won't accept it!! Another lawsuit???

SOME OF THESE BRIGGS STRATT ENGINES HAVE NOT PLACED THE ENGINE ID'S IN A FULL VISIBLE SETTING WHERE THEY, SAY IT IS THERE. IF YOU ARE TOTALLY DISABLE AND USE OUT-SDE HELP TO MAINTAIN. IT COULD COST YOU $75. TO $150. SERVICE CHARGE, PLUSS ++ THE TIME IT TAKES TO FIND THERE REQUIRED NO'S." MANUFACTURES " WARRANTY, SAYS MODEL NO., TYPE NO., CODE NO. NEEDS TO BE KNOWN TO HAVE "ALL" INFO OF OF THAT PERTICULAR UNIT THAT GIVES "ALL" THE INFO TO THAT ENGINE AND "ALL" TO PARTS OF THAT ENGINE. THESE ARE WHAT IS ASK FROM YOU TO GET. "ANYTHING" TO THAT UNIT. SOME BODY I WOULD BELIEVE, SHOULD AND NEEDS TO BE AVAILABLE FROM THIS "RUST" CONSULTING INC. TO CONVERSE WITH. PROF OF "PURCHASE" PROF OF "WARRINTY" PROF OF "UP-DATED OWENERSHIP" SHOULD BE SUFFIC.

Still no certificates received as of today 1/3/2012. Claim filed using model/id instructions from website on 4/15/2010. Apparently, Rust Consulting posted wrong instructions and is now withholding all the certificates due to wrong model numbers supplied on the claims. I wrote to Rust Consulting in June 2011. They said letters would go out soon regarding supplying the corrected model numbers. That letter/form was received on 10/29/2011, which I promptly returned. I had also supplied the corrected model to them on 8/22/2011. Here it is January 2012, and still no warranty certificates. I have a feeling that they are waiting until it is too late to use the warranty. The warranty will expire 2/21/2012. RUST CONSULTING is either inept or total scammers.

About Me

Frugal living isn’t about self-denial, at least not absolutely.
It’s about logically and purposely putting our resources toward specific
accomplishments. Occasionally, interspersing my frugal life with luxuries is
tremendously rewarding, as long as those luxuries don’t derail me from the
track. In fact, I recommend it.

On some
level, we should all try to be more conscious of where our money goes, and
better understand the connection between our time and work, and between time
and money. This will help us reach our life goals through a combination of watchful
spending and disciplined saving.